Mr. Ratliff called and asked for a 10 minute recess and asked to go over old business first.

Old Business:

ORDINANCE 2011-25:
ORDINANCE APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) BUS FOR MARION AREA TRANSIT THROUGH THE OHIO COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY, AS AMENDED (FINANCE 2-0)
Mr. Cumston noted that this is a capital item, Mr. Marsh said he’d like to have this vote this down, his stock is sufficient.
Mr. Cumston made the motion to adopt, Mr. Thomas seconding. Roll Call: YEAS: None; NAYS: Mr. Cumston, Mr. Thomas, Mrs. Blevins, Mrs. Masters, Dr. Gilsdorf, Mr. Hines, Mrs. Gustin, Mr. Schaber. ORDINANCE 2011-25 IS NOT ADOPTED

Mr. Cumston noted that we are still waiting on Mr. Ratliff to arrive. I’d like to look at Ordinance 2011-35. We are still waiting information on Bond Council; I’d like to table this until a date certain - May 23, 2011. Mrs. Blevins seconding, Mr. Thomas asked if this is a first reading. It will be the second reading. Roll Call to table: YEAS: Mr. Cumston, Mr. Thomas, Mrs. Blevins, Mrs. Masters, Dr. Gilsdorf, Mr. Hines, Mrs. Gustin, Mr. Schaber.
ORDINANCE 2011-35 IS TABLED UNTIL MAY 23, 2011.

ORDINANCE 2011-33:
ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR A WAIVER FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF ORDINANCE 1997-101 FOR THE ELGIN LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ALLOW THE MAYOR AUTHORITY TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT BASED UPON THE FORMAT UTILIZED IN THE VILLAGE OF GREEN CAMP, OHIO MATTER AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY (STREETS & SEWERS 3-0)
Mr. Thomas stated that this was in Streets & Sewers with a 3-0 recommendation for approval. I make the motion to suspend, Mr. Hines seconding. Mr. Cumston abstained. Roll Call: YEAS: Mr. Ratliff, Mr. Thomas, Mrs. Blevins, Mrs. Masters, Dr. Gilsdorf, Mr. Hines, Mrs. Gustin, Mr. Schaber.
Mr. Thomas moved to adopt, Dr. Gilsdorf seconding.
Mr. Ratliff asked about the land that is wildlife area. How much land can we annex in and how much can we can’t. Director Shoup spoke; yes there is wildlife, and also the floodplain. Significant parts of the line of the force main will have no impact on the force main itself. Elgin School will get from point A to point B. Mr. Thomas asked about the flow meter device. Mr. Shoup said it would be at the H.S. You could put it before the pump station or after the pump station.
Roger Baldinger, WPC – that metering is at the lift station. Its right outside the GreenCamp line there. We won’t have any problem.
Dr. Gilsdorf asked about the wildlife area, Elgin is going to build the water line, and pay us. Not going along with the deal, I don’t see it as a detriment to the project. Mr. Ratliff said the school asking to waive the annexation, no land that its annexable, there will be work done to it in the future, and tax base to grow the City through, why take on a future liability when there is no possible upside to grow our tax base.
Mr. Thomas said the question in front of us is to waiver the annexation to be contiguous, whether we do that or not. I understand what Mr. Ratliff is saying. Even if we vote this down tonight, the administration is going to say you can put that system in. The only thing we are voting on is to waive the annexation issue. I don’t like the waiving of this for the school district. Dr. Gilsdorf said he would rely on the engineer to see what land is developable. Mr. Shoup said that we have received some inquiries already to hook onto the system on 203 because of failing septic tanks, so there are quite a few acres of land that are not in a flood plain and not in wildlife area.
Roll call for Adoption: YEAS: Mr. Ratliff, Mrs. Blevins, Mrs. Masters, Dr. Gilsdorf, Mr. Hines, Mrs. Gustin, Mr. Schaber; NAYS: Mr. Thomas. ORDINANCE 2011-33 IS ADOPTED

Lt. Wade thanked Council – the only thing we ask for is a 1 year contract extension.
Dr. Gilsdorf asked about the matter of every city employee taking off 8 hours each week was that presented to you. Lt. Ralph said he didn’t know of it. It would have been simpler. The ERI program, 1.0 x years’ base salary. Now it’s 1.5 – that about 90-100,000 to retire by May 15. Lt. Ralph said they will leave by May 31 and spread those payments out. That costs us approx. 300,000.00. Mr. Ratliff spoke about the fund to retire, no plan to pay for the retirement, 750,000 – lump sum payment to pay for stuff like that, we haven’t put any money in it since, one or more people retire, and we are down to nothing. We can grow that fund over the next 5 years. It’s better for the employees; there is something there to pay you. Mr. Cumston said that fund is right @ a little over 500,000.00. Dr. Gilsdorf asked if the economy is going to stay the same. Plan for the worst and hope for the best. What’s the plan for the 2012 and 2013? Lt. Ralph said this does cover the 12% cut for this year. Lt. Ralph said we have a plan to sit down with the City with collective bargaining and to work on it.
Mr. Thomas commended the Fire fighters, with administration. Mr. Ratliff said between F & G – 2011 exceed revenue projections by 1 cent. – We can call this contract void. That bothers me. Lt. Ralph said it’s just contract language. It would allow us to go back in and make changes. Mr. Russell said this is a “re-opener” language.
Mr. Ed Christian, 1060 N. Main questioned about the gross savings for the next 3 years. Auditor Carr said she would give him copies.
Roll call for adoption: YEAS: Mr. Cumston, Mr. Ratliff, Mr. Thomas, Mrs. Blevins, Mrs. Masters, Mr. Hines, Mrs. Gustin, Mr. Schaber; NAYS: Dr. Gilsdorf. ORDINANCE 2011-34 IS ADOPTED

MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA:

Mr. Hines asked about Blain Ave. Mr. Jim Bischoff stated that they are looking at Wednesday to start, if the weather holds up.
Dave Troutman 1024 Bexley asked about Columbia Street. Mr. Jim Bischoff said it will be fixed this year.